From the 'Lectric Law Library's LexiconNisi Prius

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NISI PRIUS

These words which signify 'unless before' are the name of a court. The name originated as follows: Formerly, an action was triable only in the court where it was brought. But it was provided by Magna Carta that assises of novel disseisin and mort d'ancestor (then the most usual remedies,) should thenceforward instead of being tried at Westminster, in the superior court, be taken in their proper counties; and for this purpose justices were to be sent into every county once a year to take these assises there. These local trials being found convenient, were applied not only to assises but to other actions. Thus the trial was to be had at Westminster only in the event of its not previously taking place in the county before the justices appointed to take the assises. It is this provision of the statute of Nisi Prius, enforced by the subsequent statute of 14 Ed. III. which authorizes, in England, a trial before the justices of assises, in lieu of the superior court, and gives it the name of a trial by nisi prius. Where courts bearing this name exist in the United States, they are instituted by statutory provision.

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